While I know this country is upside down in debt - this is the first time in history when we have 2 men acting as President's simultaneousy.

Bush has been stingy during his time in office about handing out such reprieves.

Including these actions, he has granted a total of 171 and eight commutations. That's less than half as many as Presidents Clinton or Reagan issued during their time in office. Both were two-term presidents.

Bush also commuted the prison sentences of John Edward Forte of North Brunswick, N.J., and James Russell Harris of Detroit, Mich. Both were convicted of cocaine offenses.

Under the Constitution, the president's power to issue pardons is absolute and cannot be overruled.




President-elect Barack Obama is urging rapid approval of a massive economic stimulus package meant to calm turbulent financial markets, pushing the calendar and maybe his luck.

He will not be president for another eight weeks, and the politically safer route might be to lie low as President George W. Bush finishes his rocky term. But in announcing his economic team Monday at a White House-style news conference, Obama has chosen to use the bully pulpit even before he assumes the office, gambling that he can soften the economy's fall while he continues to fill out the rest of his cabinet.

http://www.yahoo.com/

What are your views? Is Obama overstepping his bounds? Should he wait until he is sworn in? Do you agree that he is acting in the best interest considering the dire emergency of our situation?

Yeah, I think he's overstepping to some extent but unfortunately, I think it's also necessary to some extent. I think he needs to show this country that he's capable of taking charge and jumping right in when the day comes. He needs to instill confidence and in this particular moment in time, better now than waiting too long.

And, it's not like there's anything he can really do anyway. He's announcing his views, his plans, his cabinet picks, etc but he's not president yet and he can do nothing until he's sworn in anyway.

That's why I ask, I believe he doesn't come into power per se until 1/20/09. He is working towards what he campaigned. It just stuck in my head, heard on the news this is the first time we have 2 acting Presidents. So figured I'd ask as there are more people here with political knowledge than I.

I just wish we had one president acting in our best interest. By the time they get to Washington all is lost to the big $$$$$ that help put them there.

The president-elect kinda takes over before the other president is out anyways, it is usually behind the scenes. It isn't a complete cut off and switch from one president to the other. However, due to Obama's approach, he is a lot more transparent in his actions.

Is he running full steam ahead or is he running a look at me I'm working agenda?

It is a transitional period the changing between President and the President elect. However, (jmo)President Elect Obama is working towards our economy recovery and getting his staff in place, while President Bush has granted pardons to 14 individuals and commuted the prison sentences of two others convicted of misdeeds including drug offenses, tax evasion, wildlife violations and bank embezzlement.

JMO - somehow it just doesn't seem as important nor as significant as our economic woes.

Presidential pardons are a tradition of out-going presidents. I don't think we should read anything negative into it with Bush. Pundits have expressed the need for Obama to "hit the ground running". I think that is what he is trying to do. Our economic security is not something that can take a time out for the changing of the guard.

Not reading anything negative Nan, I happened to say between the two actions one does not seem as significant as the other. jmo

It is relatively insignificant, "news of the day" sort of stuff, only. I can't imagine why anyone would think it takes the focus off the economy and I thought that is what you were implying. My bad!

That's ok, thanks

thx fran

check this out

http://mingle2.com/topic/show/183543

kind of interesting

Since he can sign anything or do anything until he's sworn in I don't think he's doing anything different than any other president-elect did before they took office. He's just getting everything ready for when he takes Office. He only has 8 weeks

Make that "he CAN'T sign anything"

yes indeed

:off topic: - your screen name and my default pic karma??? just kidding

Cute